[Mick]

Kocurek said some really nice things about Kinlaw yesterday that painted the picture of a guy who really wants it.  He raved about his work ethic and his body. They are now starting to ramp up his snaps, targeting him to be ready for the Chicago opener. This may mean he doesn't play in the exhibition games, I don't know.

Another Kocurek pupil that seems to be primed to have a big year is Samson Ekubam. Kocurek basically repeated what Ebukam said recently about his expectations this season. Ekubam played DE in college. At the Rams he was an OLB. He moved back to DE with Niners last year and it took him a while to get the feel for playing DE again. All those who paid attention could see he started to produce more at the end of the season. Kocurek said Ebukam didn't really have much of an offseason last year to learn the position and technique, and Ebukam said it took him a while to learn how to play with a hand down and attack OL from a 3-point stance.  They both basically said Ebukam is poised for a big year now that he's comfortable at DE in the Niners' system. The logic is sound.

Kocurek worked wonders with Kerry Hyder in 2020. Hyder regressed significantly when he left the 49ers, and has now returned. Kocurek will crush it with Drake. He spent nine seasons in Detroit teaching Ndamokung Suh, Nick Fairley, Cliff Avril and Ziggy Ansuh. They had 250 sacks and 57 forced fumbles, both 4th in the NFL during that period.

[Mick]

Kocurek said some really nice things about Kinlaw yesterday that painted the picture of a guy who really wants it.  He raved about his work ethic and his body. They are now starting to ramp up his snaps, targeting him to be ready for the Chicago opener. This may mean he doesn't play in the exhibition games, I don't know.

Another Kocurek pupil that seems to be primed to have a big year is Samson Ekubam. Kocurek basically repeated what Ebukam said recently about his expectations this season. Ekubam played DE in college. At the Rams he was an OLB. He moved back to DE with Niners last year and it took him a while to get the feel for playing DE again. All those who paid attention could see he started to produce more at the end of the season. Kocurek said Ebukam didn't really have much of an offseason last year to learn the position and technique, and Ebukam said it took him a while to learn how to play with a hand down and attack OL from a 3-point stance.  They both basically said Ebukam is poised for a big year now that he's comfortable at DE in the Niners' system. The logic is sound.

Kocurek worked wonders with Kerry Hyder in 2020. Hyder regressed significantly when he left the 49ers, and has now returned. Kocurek will crush it with Drake. He spent nine seasons in Detroit teaching Ndamokung Suh, Nick Fairley, Cliff Avril and Ziggy Ansuh. They had 250 sacks and 57 forced fumbles, both 4th in the NFL during that period.